Tech

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Mike, everyone is well aware of the recruiting predicament without the need for the AJC writers to continually try to stir things up.

We already know that Renfree has decided to look elsewhere while some other recruits are a bit nervous. On the other hand, you have failed to mention that some new recruits are now looking at GA Tech where they weren’t being considered before. Why is that? Why can’t you report both sides of the story?

Fair and balanced reporting is all anyone asks for, and if this is the best that the AJC has to offer, then maybe it is about time that Cox needs to consider getting out of the business.

By Chris

December 10, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

I think it’s going to take next season to show recruits exactly what kind of offense they can expect Georgia Tech to run for the forseeable future and that we’re not a 70s veer/wishbone offense.

If we can come out next year with something akin to Missouri, West Virginia, Oregon, or Florida, I think recruits will see that we’re going to run an exciting offense that they can really shine in. We won’t get the statuesque pocket QBs, but we can definitely attract the more mobile QBs. I think we can use Nesbitt next year as a Tebow-style baby rhino up the middle kind of QB. Probably not 22 rushing 29 passing TDs, but that style of QB play.

We have to recruit the more cerebral, cool-headed QBs for the spread too, because so much of the offense runs through his hands.

In summary, give recruiting a year for us to show what CPJ’s system will look like.

By Mike Knobler

December 10, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

GA Tech Insider,

I think you’re being a bit harsh. This is one day’s blog. Did you read Mark Bradley’s column today, in which he pretty much gushed about Tech’s prospects under its new coach? Did you read my list of Johnson’s big victories in Sunday’s paper, or the stories I had in Saturday’s paper about Johnson’s hiring?

By Jack G

December 10, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

GaTechInsider——whats your problem??? I saw nothing but good reporting in this clip. The obvious was stated and what is wrong with that? It addressed the problem and gave the solution. Dont try to provoke trouble hate and discontent when none is obviously intended

By Mike Knobler

December 10, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Chris,

I think you are right on the money. Recruiting is all about perceptions, and no matter how good a job Tech does selling its new system there’s nothing quite like prospects seeing it in action. Interesting question: Does Tech tell offensive prospects to watch the Poinsettia Bowl and imagine themselves in that system, or does Tech say, “Ignore that game, things will look a lot different at Tech?”

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

I have read them all. A couple have been had positive with several negatives thrown in for good measure. All any of us ask for is fair and balanced reporting.

If the AJC throws out Tech’s recruits are nervous with the hire, why not also mention the others who were not interested in Tech that are now looking at the program much more seriously? Why is that so difficult? I can tell you that the effect on recruits is happening both ways.

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Jack G, my point is that Mike’s headline is stirring up trouble. Why not write an blog that says “Tech’s new hire gets interest from new prospects?” Why always the negativity?

A little investigative reporting will show that Coach Johnson’s hire has generated some interest in recruits that were not seriously considering GA Tech before the hire. Why not focus on the positive?

By gt45

December 10, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

Mike, any word on Tenuta? I, for one, would love for him to stay.

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Mike;

Okay, maybe I was being a little harsh to you on this specific blog, but the overall take from the AJC is very negative towards GA Tech, even when “nice” things are being said.

As I mentioned, it seems like no good word can be written about GA Tech without a caveat or clarification being thrown in for fear the AJC will upset someone affiliated with UGA. Again, all we ask is some fair and balanced reporting.

We have seen all the doom and gloom about GA Tech’s recruiting since the Coaching change, yet not one word has been uttered about new recruits now considering Tech…why is that? Why only focusing on the negative? This is the point I was trying to make.

If the AJC wants to keep everyone happy, then don’t play favorites and just report all of the facts…good, bad, or indifferent. That’s all that we ask.

By Jack G

December 10, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

Ga Tech Insider Thanks for the response. Go back and read the blog again. My take was Mike was reporting on the process and who could and who could not recruit and when they could do it. I gathered from the blog that only coaches under contract to Tech can recruit which leaves a void until after the bowl games.

By surfrider

December 10, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Recruiting pretty much had become stationary early in the season due to the nature of the situation and so much is not lost anyway. The big question is (I like to pass like most others but) who thinks the Wishbone and Veer with some passing can’t be exciting? Tech’s offense had steadily dropped from #1 in the nation (1999) to well somewhere below #80 over the last several years. If Tech runs the Wishbone and moves up to #30 in offensea and wins 8 to 9 games and occasionally 10 games who cares, it will be more exciting than what we have witnessed plus the recruiting Universe expands. If Tech can figure out a way to develop a passing attack to go with a Wishbone/Veer offense nobody can stop them. To me this is exciting because option football is exciting noone ever really knows who going to get the ball and it’s different than what everyone else is trying to run. We may loose a Renfree but pick up a Shawn Jones, Hamilton, Dewberry, Danny Myers or even a Gary Lanier. At the same time we should start gettting a slew of bigger lineman and backs in the years ahead, nationwide.

By George

December 10, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

Ga Tech Insider- you are the reason we get a bad name. Quit crying!! Mike has been a very informative reporter/blogger for Tech this year. I appreciate him. Just because something is written that you don’t like…it doesn’t mean it is meant to be demeaning. Wah, Wah, Wah. And yes, we will lose some recruits this year. That is OK, maybe we can have a better class next year.

By THWUGA

December 10, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

I think Tech fans are more miffed about Winkie’s messing with our recruits than Mike’s blog above… Mike is just getting the pent up anger directed at him.

It’s easy for the AJC to take a crap on Tech when we’re down. Hopefully the playing field has been leveled with PJ taking the reins.

By Road Scholar

December 10, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Has the AJC done a story on the ACC-Big Ten Challenge results? Implications? Contnuence? If so,I have not seen one. I understand GT Insider’s comments because the headlines try to have shock value and the AJC is usually “in Georgia’s back pocket”. I did find it curious that the reporter blogged twice right after being confronted on a new article. Slow news day?

By Chris

December 10, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

I don’t think you can really look at the Poinsettia Bowl as what we’re going to look like, unless you can imagine that half of the times Navy’s QB (Kaipo…somethingorother…can’t remember how to spell it) stuffs it in a RB’s gut, he’s going to throw it downfield. Mike Leach said it pretty well, in that Navy and Texas Tech’s offensive schemes are very, very similar. TTU just throws to one of 5 receivers instead of pitching, handing off, or tucking and running.

By Jerry

December 10, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

To Hell with being in Limbo! Georgia Tech under the leadership of Head Coach Paul Johnson is full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes into recruiting. We got a couple of verbals that might not stick but that justs gives a chance to bring on some with more character and loyalty than those cats possessed. Mr. Johnson has hit the ground running and don’t be suprised if he does not get exactly what he wants with the time he has to get her done.

Go Jackets!

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

George;

All I have asked for was balanced reporting. For example, if you look at the two headers discussing recruiting, one said Tech lost a QB and the other says that Tech’s recruiting is in limbo. I don’t care who wrote them.

If Mike is one of the “good guys,” great, then he can be the one who takes a positive spin and can do some investigation on the new piece to post against the article that says Tech lost a recruit and report that new recruits are excited about the hire and are now considering Tech. He choose not to do it.

Why two negative posts in a row or never just publishing a nice article without some negative comment that has to be thrown in?

And while I’m on my soapbox, why does the AJC allow these morons to post obscenities and other vile comments on these blogs? Obviously, someone from the AJC reads them. They also ask for an e-mail address. You can verify names before you post..do something proactive to keep these things clean. There are kids reading them.

By George

December 10, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

Maybe PJ can clean up this crap…who prides ourselves on class.

http://georgiasports.blogspot.com/2007/11/why-tech-offensive-lineman-was-ejected.html

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

By the way, I do not expect the AJC to just report good news about GA Tech.

For example, no one has bothered to mention that 4-5 Tech players will probably be academically ineligible for the Bowl game, which is another one of the reasons Cahn Gailey was let go and was not reported about.

By RamblingWreck86

December 10, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Ga Tech Insider,

You are one confusing guy…are you saying it would be positive to report that 4-5 Tech players will be academically ineligible? I agree that Chan did a horrible job with the academics. No matter who was in charge, losing 4-5 to grades will be very bad news.

By James

December 10, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

insider- please stop posting. Now you are contradicting yourself. And yes George, PJ will not put up with that.

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

RamblingWreck86, I just want fair and balanced reporting. Back to back bad headlines regarding recruiting when there are good ones that could be posted about recruiting would be nice.

I thought the fans needed to know that one of the reasons Chan was let go was academics, and that some players will probably not be eligible for the bowl game, including one that most will be VERY disappointed to see.

I don’t think any Tech fans are expecting only sunshine reports, just honest and balanced ones. That was the point of my posts.

By GA Tech insider

December 10, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

James, ignore my posts if you aren’t interested in reading them.

I was the one who mentioned that Tech was negotiating with Paul Johnson when everyone else was speculating on who they were talking to. I am also the one who has said that Tech is trying to keep Tenuta, Giff Smith, and the Linebacker Coach to stay on the staff.

By Neal

December 10, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

Insider- Knobler is printing the truth. Accept it and quit crying. Welcome to print media!!!!!!!!!

By Mike Knobler

December 10, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

I’m reading the comments while I watch the Falcons-Saints game on TV. Chris Reis just made a tackle for New Orleans. Remember Chris? One of the good guys I had the pleasure of covering at Tech.

After the stresses and strains and hours of covering the coaching search, things are a bit slower this week, with finals going on. I’m working on a story that will tell a bit more about who Paul Johnson is and how he got that way (could appear this coming weekend, possibly on Sunday).

Chris just almost intercepted the ball at the end of the first half.

BTW, the UGA-AJC conspiracy stuff is mildly amusing. Tech people familiar with the concept of Occam’s Razor might want to rethink the rather absurd idea that Matt (Bowling Green 1987) or I (Harvard 1985) have some Bulldog-inspired motive to do Tech wrong — or that we’d sit idly by while those we worked with twisted our work to carry out some nefarious UGA anti-Tech plot. Simpler explanations: —Sometimes the news is good; sometimes it isn’t. —Sometimes we will approach a story from the angle you might have chosen; sometimes we will emphasize something else.

By GT GRAD

December 10, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

You AJC writers are consistent; when GT recruiting is involved, any and all headlines are very negative even when the story is positive.

There is an obvious agenda to affect GT recruits with these ridiculus articles and misleading headlines.

By Right On

December 10, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Well said Mike… you and the boys keep digging for info on Tenuta. I think that’s the biggest story in which most Tech fan’s are concerned with.

By alan

December 11, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

I agree with Insider (although he’s not getting any love from the rst of this blog). The headlines in this newspaper typically seem bias towards Georgia Recruiting and focus on negatives regarding Ga Tech. Suble difference such as placement in the paper, reporting who’s considering Georgia, highlighting HS athletes in the state that are leaning towards Georgia, etc. all contribute to the favorism towards UGA. Maybe Mr. College Football attended UGA (I don’t know) but the other writers are from elsewhere — so I don’t beleive that’s the problem, or that some conspiracy exists. With UGA’s large fanbase, the AJC seems to be just appealing to the masses. Other than Bisher there is no writer on the staff that understands and appreciates Tech’s tradition and provides a completyely balanced view of tech athletics.

By Charles Wilson

December 11, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this

People would rather lose passing than win running.

I say this about every day now and it is still true. I hope PJ lines up in the Double Split, Double Slot and gets - as Barry Switzer used to say - “half a hunnert” running the ball.

I am deeply sympathetic to those of you out there in TeeVee land that don’t understand what this is all about. I would love to show you the ‘94 Hawaii season that I have on Beautiful VHS showing how this offense works.

You’re still wondering how Rodriguez dun lost’ed to Pitt. “N you don’t bother looking at the Navy tape to see how Navy beat Pitt.

You’ll never learn. As long as you see a thousand passes from a million formations, you’ll be happy.

How very sad that you won’t even try to see what is about to happen.

CW

By Matt Winkeljohn

December 11, 2007 1:36 AM | Link to this

Hey, I’m supposed to be on vacation, but I have to chime in here …

Nothing Mike or I do has anything to do with bias. News in general has to do with reporting both what is happening, and, to be frank, what is disruptive, or out of the norm. News, by its nature, is not about what is expected, like, as Insider keeps suggesting, the fact that some recruits might be enticed by the coaching change.

So, Insider, do you really think that kind of information will be obvious as quickly as that of recruits who are dissuaded by the coaching change?

Do you think there are a whole bunch of recruits out there who said to themselves, “Crap! I gotta call Georgia Tech and ask them to recruit me!”

That’s not the way it works. There cannot be a new recruiting list, a modified recruiting list, until at least part of the new coaching staff is in place. Think about it. There can, however, be some recruits who no longer fit, either of their own volition (Renfree) or that of the eventual new staff (?).

So who do you suggest we call among recruits?

There is exactly one new staff member. It’s apparent by Paul Johnson’s track record that the general feel for the offense it going to change, the most ovvious (maybe only obvious) effect will be at QB. So who else do you suggest we call?

Until there is a new DC, if there is a new DC, or a new line coach, who do we call? Do we call the OL commits to date?

I’m serious. Think about it. You give me one name, and search all the websites you want, about a recruit who you think just because of the coaching change is all of a sudden considering Tech — and it needs to be somebody who wasn’t before — and I’ll call him. And previous Navy recruits do not count — yet.

When there is a coaching change, the natural reaction is not for the kid who has committed to Tennessee, or USC, or Ohio State or Florida to think … Ooh! I’m going to call that school and say, ‘Recruit me!’

Get real! The first reaction is for kids currently committed to wonder if they still fit. The inverse is, quite simply, difficult to predict and not only for fans and journalists.

Do think there are any recruits out there who know yet what to expect should they choose Georgia Tech? No. No way.

And you know it now that you’ve stopped to think about it.

Matt

By razorjacket

December 11, 2007 6:29 AM | Link to this

Matt, I don’t buy all the conspiracy crap, but it does sound like you have made assumptions about the situation regarding potential new recruits without doing any investigation whatsover. Great reporters don’t just print the obvious (e.g Renfree), they also search for other angles. It sounds like you have assumed there are no other possibilities and will not bother to invest the energy in searching out the other angle. So, how are we to really know? I don’t know who to call. You’re the reporter, figure it out.

By Ed from Allentown

December 11, 2007 6:41 AM | Link to this

Ga Tech Insider and the other fans(?) like him are the very reason that I don’t support Ga Tech. I moved here from Pennsylvania more than 20 years ago and being a college football fan too far frm home to pull for my favorite (Penn state) I decided to check out the local colleges and find a team that I could follow on a regular basis. The U Of Georgia has some obnoxious fans and can be very irritating at times much like the fans on most any school, much like Auburn fans. Alabama fans are so fanatic that they can be scary, same for South Carolina. After going to several games Ga Tech I came to the conclusion that the fans there are the worst in the area. They whine and complain about everything, they don’t consistently support their team and blame every loss on the officials, academics, and newspaper articles. To them Ga Tech never looses, they just get bad press reports and biased officials. I’ll keep going to Auburn and Georgia games but I won’t spend any more money at Ga Tech to support a team whose own so called fans seem reluctant to support.

By Georgia Tech=JOKE

December 11, 2007 7:15 AM | Link to this

Ed from Allentown, you better get used to it. There isn’t a bigger delusional bunch of crybabies on earth. This team barely wins 7 games a year but they insist on being treated like a national power. Yet really, they don’t even care about their team that much. Its more about hating Georgia than anything. I don’t even know why they waste their time with it. Well, some of them don’t as evidenced by their football attendance record.

The best thing about Johnson is he’s instilled even more false optimism in these clowns. That will make their fall even more entertaining to witness. B***, moan and cry. Its the Georgia Tech way.

By JustMe

December 11, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

IMHO GA Tech Insider is right. The ajc does have a rather large slant when (or even if) it reports on GA Tech. For comparison, recall what the ajc articles were like when Richt took over at ugay. There were no, zippo, zero articles or blogs like this one. When Richt took over the ajc was gushing all over ugay.

Chalk it up to the writers being (mostly) graduates of ugay. This is why I stopped paying for the ajc all together.

By GA Tech insider

December 11, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this

Matt, thanks for chiming in. My point is to actually some investigative reporting, don’t continually follow negative reports with another negative report when there are clearly positive ones that can be written, and don’t always write articles that contain good news that always have caveats with bad news just to make UGA fans happy.

GA Tech fans can handle bad news. All we ask for is fair and balanced reporting and that the AJC keep the blogs clean. Is that so much to ask?

Now you have asked how to locate kids who are considering Tech since the coaching change has occurred, I would suggest someone do some investigative reporting. Believe it or not, there are some RB’s, a QB, and even O Linemen who have expressed interest in finding out more about the program since the coaching change has occurred. Dig some.

I would also suggest someone write an article about Coach Johnson’s offense when he was the Offensive Coordinator at Hawaii…Why hasn’t ANYONE taken the time to do that? If you had, maybe some of the posters wouldn’t be so fast to think Tech’s offense would be a strictly running game.

These are the types of issues I have been trying to raise with my complaints about the AJC. You have the opportunity to give the program some positive press and make some friends, yet you choose to go for the negative headlines most of the time or when a positive article is started, it is laced with negatives to appease your UGA fans.

By TDone

December 11, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

Matt, et al…

Here is the deal:

1. Recruiting: No one has signed yet. All we have are commitments from 17- and 18-year olds. By getting Johnson, we secured the #1 recruit we needed most of all. Yes, we may lose one or two because of the coaching change, but in the long run, we gain.

2. AJC Bias: Personally, I think Mike and Matt are both fairly even-handed. But the guys on the Muttland side are not. Towers and Strickland are nothing but homers. I think Schultz, Bradley, and Moore though not bias, just try to stir it up. Schultz’s performance last week was pitiful and horrific. Moore’s infamous handling of the Tech-Notre Dame series the past two years was painful and shameful. As for Bradley, I think he is blind not to see that Muttland is not all that. With all Muttland has going for it, what really do they have to show for it?

3. This Website: I do think that the webmaster of the AJC Sports site is bias and I do believe the sports editor of the AJC has not done his/her job properly. The surveys are ripe with bias and he by-lines and headlines are pretty poor.

By Chris

December 11, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

Do you want Matt and Mike to call every single recruit out there that wasn’t considering Tech before and ask them if the new coach makes any difference before any other staff members are in place? Because that’s dumb. Really dumb.

I think Mike hit the nail on the head with this article. Recruiting has taken a hit with the coaching change. Two have decommitted (AJ Jenkins and Renfree) and some others are taking visits, but they have remained firm.

CPJ is hitting recruiting hard right now, believe you me. It’s just going to take some time for recruiting to come around and for prospects to see how CPJ operates.

I also don’t think there’s any kind of grand conspiracy surrounding the AJC and Tech. There just happens to be negative things happening, and like Mike said, news isn’t always good. We stumbled our way to 7-5 and a crappy bowl after we started with much higher hopes, fired a coach of 6 years, and hired a new coach. Mike and Matt can’t just blow sunshine up our butts when there are negative things happening. I think they do pretty good with a positive/negative balance, considering how things have been going down at Tech lately.

In short, LAY OFF. Let these guys do their jobs. If you’ve got criticisms, email them privately. Don’t s* up the board with p** and moaning about perceived biases.

By RAMBLE ON!

December 11, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

Mike Knobler any scoop on Giff Smith staying…I know he worked for PJ two years…is that good or bad?

I’d keep him over Tenuta if I had to choose between the two. I’d rather keep both!

By Hilarious

December 11, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

Towers and Strickland are homers? Would a homer say that a bowl game was less than certain for Georgia midway through the 2007 season? I don’t think so. But Chip Towers said just that. And you know what? He was RIGHT. We weren’t playing well and had a very tough second half of the season ahead of us. It might not have been what Georgia fans wanted to hear but that “homer” Chip Towers said it. And if you think Carter Strickland is a Georgia homer you simply cannot read. I’m not even going to waste my time on that.

Newsflash Tech fans: Your team grossly underperfomed this year and just fired its coach. That is NOT a good thing. Recruits are thinking twice about their commitments. This is what we call a “fact” oh bright ones. There is not much good that can be said about Georgia Tech right now. Just because the AJC does not buy into your delusions of grandeur about Johnson turning you into a power does not mean they are biased. Johnson has proved absolutely nothing to date. For all of your purported education and smarts you sure can be a thick headed lot when you want to be.

Have fun in Boise.

By GT Fan

December 11, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Hey Guys!!

Enough bashing about who said what and who didn’t say something. And by the way Chan didn’t have control over the academic side of things that was controlled by the accademics advisors appointed by the school not under Chan’s authority.

By fred

December 11, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Insider is correct.

And, after quickly scanning a few blogs, “the dog(no pun) that got hit is the one that howls loudest”.

Hey, GT has no journalism school nor do we want one.”Objective reporting” has become an oxymoron(sp).

Move over lawyers, you now have company at the bottom of the ocean(Furman Bisher excluded).

By Matt Winkeljohn

December 11, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Now that everyone seems to have chilled a little bit, a few things I’d like to mention …

There were NO blogs like this when Richt was hired. There were, in fact, no blogs at all. The AJC had not yet started blogs. There were, however, stories and columns about whether or not a man with no head coaching experience was going to be the right fit at Georgia. Look it up if you want.

Homers covering Georgia?! Better ask some Georgia fans about that. I think they’ll answer loudly.

There are feel good stories to come. At least one very big Paul Johnson feature any day. Time is being spent on that story to do it well. If Brian Bohannon leaves the Navy staff to join the Tech staff, I imagine there will be a pretty good story about the Griffin guy coming home to work within 40 miles of where he grew up as the son of Georgia high school coaching legend Lloyd Bohannon.

There will be positive stories about recruits. It’s not a matter of not doing the investigating. It’s about a timeline. As Johnson gets his feet on the ground, modifies Tech’s recruiting target list, and especially once his staff is in place and able to go full bore on the kids they want (and who want to play for them), there will be stories and/or blogs about that. But that doesn’t happen as fast as kids de-committing after a coaching change. The staff changes, however, won’t happen as quickly as you would like because both schools are getting ready to play in bowl games.

As for monitoring blogs, we can all dream. Everybody would like that, I think. For reasons beyond my knowledge, it hasn’t happened. I don’t know if it will. I do know there is a manpower issue that goes with something like that. With multiple blogs up and active all day every day, and posts coming in rapidly, the screening process is easier dreamed about than executed. That’s about all I know on that.

Anyway, sit tight. The nature of the cycle is about to include more positive than not in the foreseeable future.

Matt

By Dirtty

December 11, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

The ajc is a worthless uga rag: All loyal Tech grads and fans should immediately cancel their subscriptions to the ajc, in protest of their biased and derogatory coverage of Tech. Let the ajc fail, then the uga grads who work for the ajc will be unemployed and unemployable. Never, ever hire a uga grad for anything. EVER

By GA Tech insider

December 11, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the follow up Matt. We will wait with baited breath and hope for the best.

By GT80

December 11, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Mike, I think the headlines that get stuck on some of the blogs just come off negative while the actual blog really isn’t.

But Tech folks, since the recruiting is nothing that we can do anything about, here is another subject that we Tech fans can do something about. I spoke with Dan Rad recently about the game day experience and among other things I asked if we could go back to the traditional uniforms of white jerseys and gold pants. Dan stated that all aspects of the game day experience are being reviewed, including the uniforms. I think if enough Tech alums and fans call for a return to the traditional home uniforms it will happen. We finally have an AD who listens to the alums and fans, and we got rid of a coach who really didn’t want to be bothered with us.

So speak up Tech folks.

By I sound like a one man band

December 11, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

First off, great hire for us. CPJ will bring us wins and eventually championships. To answer this blog, however, I want to point out that CPJ has proven himself as a winner by running his option offense. He has told many in interviews that he will NOT change his philosophy. Can/Will he pass more than he has in the past? Probably. Will you see Nesbitt stick the ball in the FB’s belly, pull it and possibly pitch it? Definitely. Does it matter what we do if we win? Does a 40 yard passing TD count more than a 40 yard rushing TD? CPJ will win big with his triple option, not a hybrid version that the Floridas, West Vigrinia, etal do.

By GA Tech insider

December 11, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Amen, By I sound like a one man band!

By Halberstram

December 11, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Congrats to Tech on the hire. I think overall he will do a good job, but I’m not sure if he’s got what it takes to win it all. Time will only tell though on that one. The most important thing for Johnson is to retain the recruiting coordinator or else Tech will be in big trouble. That was one of the first thing Richt did (keeping Rodney Garner), it held together the class and allowed for some consistency. Johnson will need Giff to help with maintaining the relationships Tech enjoys with the high schools.

Go Dawgs!

By Buzz Belle

December 11, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

-GT80 - Count me in on returning to the Gold and White. -I can’t wait until season opener in ‘08. -To Tentuta - The challenge is what could happen with your defense and Johnson’s offense? Imagine the possibilities! Please, please stay and find out!
-When are we going to hear about Tentuta?

By Chris

December 11, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

one man band -

He’s repeatedly stated in interviews that if he had the proper athletes, he would throw the ball more. The run-only offense is simply what has worked for him at Navy. He stated that he wouldn’t change his overall philosophy (that you do need to have a solid run game to control the clock) but he didn’t say that he wasn’t going to change his play calling. Quite the contrary, actually.

I wish people would stop assuming things about CPJ’s offense based on what he’s done at Navy. The hallmark of a quality offensive mind is adaptability. He’s shown that in spades with his Run-and-shoot schemes at Hawaii in the mid 90s and with the run-biased option schemes at Southern and Navy.

If you would take the time to watch his offense, it’s a spread option just like WVa and all the other spread teams, except they tuck and run or hand-off/pitch a lot more. It’s all the QB’s decision whether he wants to throw, hand-off/pitch, or run.

By GA Tech insider

December 11, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Buzz Belle, negotiations/discussions are ongoing with several current Tech (defensive) coaches and, hopefully, the staff will be announced in the next week. Stay tuned…

By Buzz Belle

December 11, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Recruiting will take care of itself. Johnson has deep roots here and he will go after what he needs to make the program what we all want.
Now i’m going to stir the pot and watch it heat up - AJC reported Sunday an graduation report on all 64 Bowl teams - Ga. cam in last - graduating 41% of their athletes. Lowest of all 64 teams. Now, dawgs, tell us about proud history and tradition! So glad to be a Tech Fan! THWG

By I sound like a one man band

December 11, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Chris-

Sorry, you only hear what you want to hear. CPJ has said (with me in attendance) on numerous occasions that he is a triple option man. He said as recently as Sunday on WSB that at Hawaii, he had the exact same offense that he ran at Georgia Southern and Navy. He chose to call more of the pass plays at Hawaii than he he did at those other places. As a football coach myself, I think I can speak with some authority when I say that the triple option is NOTHING like the spread options that are in vogue right now. Do they share the same concepts? Yes. In a nutshell, the spread schemes are zone blocking with an option to handoff to a dive back away from the read man. The QB can pull and then run at the defender responsible for pitch. At this point both schemes are exact in that the QB can run or pitch. The difference with CPJ’s option is that his dive read is straight ahead. There is no finese blocking that you see with the spread people. Trust me when I say that particular element is a lot different from the spread. If CPJ changes, then he lied when he told a group of about 100 Georgia high school coaches when he said, “I will never change what I do. I believe you can win with this offense on any level.” I took him at his word and hope that he will do the same for us.

By Navigator

December 11, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Teach Nesbitt not to fumble, because he’s going to carry the load next year. We may be wishing we could win 6-7 games with a running game (primary). Maybe they can get Switzer to show them how they ran it back in the 70’s. God help us all, we’re in for a ride.

By Chris

December 11, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

I never said anything about him not running the option. I said that he’s stated that if he had the proper athletes, he would pass the ball more. Still the option, but throwing more often from the option. Not passing more than running, but more than 10 times per game. From his sets, you can run it every play or you can pull back and wing it every play.

It’s also not a straight-up wishbone triple option either. It’s much closer to a spread option like West Virginia. Mike Leach, coach of Texas Tech, stated in an interview that Navy’s offense was very similar to his, with the exception of the run:pass ratio.

By Jamey

December 11, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

CPJ’s Rise to the top of the ACC will in large part depend on Tenuda staying. D-Rad, Your next move is for check-mate,… Keep Tenuda……and we win the match!

By usna77

December 11, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

To MattWinkl…

According to the Navy beat writer for the Annapolis Capitol, it is safe to assume that Bohannon is headed to Atlanta. But, Coach K (the Navy version) has confirmed that DC Buddy Green and QB Coach Ivin Jasper (who played for Johnson at Hawaii) will remain in Annapolis, with Jasper being promoted to OC.

To the football coach, define exactly what you mean by “finesse blocking,” and particularly how PJ’s woefully undersized offensive lines at Annapolis blocked much larger defenders to lead the nation in rushing 4 of the last 6 years. Is there any reason that those same blocking schemes, using real college football players instead of midshipmen, won’t be at least as effective?

By I sound like a one man band

December 11, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Chris-

I’ll debate you and Mike Leach any day of the week that Leach’s offense is any thing like the triple option.
You will continue to live in ignorance. Oh well, why bother…

By usna77

December 11, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Navigator … this ain’t Barry Switzer’s wishbone. There are no tight ends, for one thing.

Rather, it’s West Virginia’s spread, except with the QB under center instead of in the shotgun. The QB might carry the ball 20 times one game, and 2 times the next. The fullback might touch the ball for five plays. The real workhorses are the slots, who are either carrying the ball or blocking.

And with a real quarterback, there is always the chance that the option look suddenly turns into a play-action pass. As a cornerback, committed to stop the pitch, what exactly do you do then besides stand there looking silly?

By UGA 78

December 11, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

It’s funny but my perception has always been that when UGA is winning, the AJC’s coverage is more positive towards UGA, and when tech is winning, the AJC’s coverage is more positive towards tech.

On the latter, though, my memory could be faulty. After all, it’s been such a long time…

By Buzz Belle

December 11, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Read from Annapolis Sports page: On Sat 8th - when new Navy coach was announced, noticibly absent was Jeff Monken, slots back coach and Brian Bohannon, wide rec coach. All defensive coaches were not at announcement. Yesterday’s story states Buddy Green is staying as Def. Coord. Ivin Johnson (QB coach) is staying as Offensive Coordinator. Also, Dale Pehrson is staying at Annapolis.
Looks like PJ needs JT and this GT girl wants JT with PJ Go Jackets!!!! THWG

By Buzz Belle

December 11, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

I meant all offensive coaches were not at announcement. The defensive coaches were - indicating they will probably stay at Annapolis. - sorry for mistake. I get excited thinking we might be able to keep Tenuta.

By Cd garner

December 11, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

I am glad GT has a new coach. I know there were problems in the program. My son went through some and ended up leaving a program and city he loved. I am glad this new coach came in and confirms the move my son made from Gt. I feel for the players that will not fit in the new coaches plans as well as with the recruits who had bought hats shirts made plans for their future in Atanta. But, better to find out now as later so they don’t waste a year or two of eligibility. Good Luck GT Personally I am glad my family is done with GT. But I do wish the program and fans well.

By Chris

December 11, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Straight from the man’s mouth, one man band. It’s attributed to him at huskersforpauljohnson.blogspot.com, a site set up by Nebraska fans that wanted Johnson over Pelini. I can’t find the original source to back up the quote’s authenticity, though.

Also, I never, ever said TTU used a triple option. They use a spread, but instead of having slotbacks, a fullback in the backfield, and 2 receivers, they run 5-wide. I was saying that Navy’s offense wasn’t exactly a triple option and used Leach’s quote to make my point.

By Alabama Jack

December 11, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

I think the new Georgia Tech offense will be the “Do whatever it takes to move the ball down the field and score every time we get the ball while our Tenuta coached defense smothers the oppostion and we win every game by 49 points.”

Now only dawgs could complain about that.

By TJ

December 11, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

I (gulp) actually agree with UGA 78. The paper actively writes about the team that is doing better.

When the teams are “even” it supports UGA more since that will sell more papers.

By Navy grad

December 11, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Annapolis paper today: Most Navy assistants are staying, including defensive coord. Jeff Monken (slot backs/special teams), Brian Bohannon (wide receivers) and Todd Spencer (offensive line) are GT-bound. Looks like Coach Johnson must cut a deal with the current GT defensive coord. Good luck to Tech. Johnson said he left Navy because there was no “ceiling” at GT. He means it. I believe he seriously intends to bring another nat’l championship to Tech.

By shane #1

December 11, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

uga78,i think you hit the nail on the head,everybody loves a winner.most sportswriters have bad knees due to jumping on and off bandwagons.i had not heard about any tech players being suspended for the bowl game.i have consistantly defended chan on these blogs but suspensions right before a bowl two years in a row makes me think i have been wrong.i thought chan’s firing was due to heat from boosters and a knee jerk reaction to the loss to ga,but a coach who’s team underachieves on the field and in the classroom should be fired.ala jim donnan.BTW as to the ajc being biased toward uga,there are many on the other side that think the bias runs toward tech.i happen to believe that neither is true,these guys just want to sell papers.it may seem that recruiting coverage favors uga but uga has twentythree recruits,tech has thirteen,so who gets the most ink?you do the math!

By EvenKeel

December 11, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Mike and Matt. Keep the stories coming. We can use all the publicity we can get - even if it’s occasionally bad news. And emulate Furman Bisher as often as you can.

By BuzzFactor

December 11, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Thanks Navy grad. Sounds like the 3 he’s bringing will help his system the most. I would love to have Tenuta back, too. I imagine he’s strongly considered the LSU move, but it’s not always the best situation to work for a friend, so maybe he’ll stay and help Tech’s return to glory. recruiting will suffer a little this year. So be it. The next year will give recruits the chance to see the system unfold and we’ll see an improvement then. This is not going to happen overnight, but we’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. (T H W G)

By The Truth

December 11, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

If Tech starts winning again and finishing in the top 25 (it’s been awhile), you won’t see much of a bias. However, I did find it funny that the stories/blogs about the UGA/UF game were still on the main page over a week and a half after the game. That’s a little overkill don’t think? We get it, a lot of Georgia fans go down to Jacksonville and get drunk, we don’t need 15 stories and 100 pictures about it.

By Exley DAWG

December 11, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Interesting how on UGA blogs nobody ever brings up Tech……never. Here it only takes until the 2nd or 3rd Tech fan to chime in about how the DAWGS are overrated. Bottom line is you’re jealous. Fact is Im here because Im a football fan, we recruit the same kids, we play each other every year, etc.

By BuzzFactor

December 11, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

And if we only take a few hits, I could see that offset with a few new recruits coming onboard because of the same reasons we lost the others. He’ll get out there and sell himself and his offense.

By The Ole Ball Coach

December 11, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Well Boo hoo……………. What do you expect?? They just hired a Coach…………………… It is very sad …Boo Hoo.. ..
Write about something that matters beside Georgia Tech Football…

Write about the plight of the sea turtle…. or the fluffiness and texture of cool whip, Now that is interesting..

By Navy grad

December 11, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

I think you are correct. Lose some recruits, pick others up. One thing that has been mentioned on other blogs here, you will here amazingly frank appraisals of the effort and performance of your players once practice begins. Also, toughness and accountability for on-field performance. 2 big items. Good luck

By BuzzFactor

December 11, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Exly, the FACT is that UGA fans come to the Tech blog to stir the pot. If that weren’t the case, you wouldn’t see near the amount of UGA comments on here. We are perfectly capable of having a blog without the same old UGA fans that continuously come in and say the same old things. It really is pathetic that those few make the rest of you look so bad. I know you’re not all like that, because I have a few personal friends that are UGA fans/alumni. But really, no need for your comments on the subject when it’s the UGA folks that are to blame in the first place.

By Chris

December 11, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Exley DAWG -

Not entirely accurate. It takes until the first obnoxious Georgia fan chimes in and calls Tech fans nerds or says that we stink that we start talking/whining about Georgia.

However, it does only take one moron screaming, “GO DAWGZZZZZZ! TECH STINKS! WHERES YER CALCULATOR?!?!? LOL IM SO ORIGINAL” to start us up.

By Keno

December 11, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Ga Tech Insider: Please enlighten us. Who are the new prospects you’re referring to. A lot of your other comments were either already printed in the AJC when you wrote them, or are self-evident. Do you think every writer can have an in-depth, investigative report ready every day. You’re spoiled by tv, when in reality they spend months on their investigative work. Other than that, I enjoy your blogging. I can’t account for the idiots except to assume they’re Ga Fans trying to undermine our image by implanting theirs. There are a lot of interesting bloggers, and this sports writing you criticize so much is responsible for your venue for commenting. Don’t criticize the messengers. You weren’t the only one suggesting that GA Tech would pay Tenuta more and keep him (unless LSU comes calling). Like I said, tell us who the new recruits are.

By Keno

December 11, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Anyone know John Bond’s status? I know he had a good reputation coming to Tech. Was he hurt by coaching for Chan Gailey?

By Bug the Bee

December 11, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Recruiting seems to be going really great. As reported by the All Mighty AJC MRicht has only two unclaimed scholarships for class of 08. GT recruiting seems to be moving backwards, with one time flats bound players deciding to go somewhere they might actually win a few games. ND, regardless of lousy season, is about to reel in another top 5 class, with USC starting to pick up some steam as well. Don’t know the status of JBond, but does it really matter?Go Yellas,Buzz’EM!

By yellowblood

December 12, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Recruiting?? Who cares about recruiting when everyone is in such a good mood and Tickle Piles are going so well.

By Welcome PJ

December 12, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

I was at Tech in the late 80’s and graduated in 90 - which was certainly a great time to be a Yellow Jacket. The funny thing is, I don’t remember if the stands were always full - even in 1990 when expectations were high. Can anyone remember how well attended the games were? I remember the Clemson game was packed but that is about all - probably for good reason:>

The truth is, most of us could do a better job of supporting the Jackets - win or lose. I personally hope Tech games never have the same feel as some of the big SEC or Big 12 schools, but we should do a better job filling the stadium and supporting the team. The Penn State fan/alum made some valid points, but was a little tough on Tech fans. All fans whine (certainly Georgia and Auburn included) and in the end it just isn’t such a big deal - unless you are a coach or a player! Merry Christmas to all and welcome to Hotlanta, Mr. Johnson!!!

By Hang_50

December 13, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this

Let Paul Johnson get the recruits he needs. If these guys want to leave let them go somewhere else and lose. Paul knows that it’s not the superstars that win but the right unselfish players that makes his system work. Don’t expect him to run anything but his offense. You may get a tweak in the 1st year but after that, he will run what has made him successful at Navy and Ga Southern. Besides, he playd 29 BCS schools at Navy and averaged 30 points a game. His offense works so relax and enjoy the ride.

By dave

December 16, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Only one more coach to go and I think we all know which one. He is the worst coach in the ACC.